News and Views

Quiet Transfer Deadline Day For Royals

10 August 2018 By Hob Nob Anyone?

Transfer deadline day passed quietly for the Royals as they hung on to central defender Liam Moore, who had been expected to move away from the club during the summer. Last season's player of the season was widely expected to join Brighton but failed to move after Reading considered and rejected offers that didn't match their value of the player. With no signings coming in on deadline day either it appears that Reading wrapped up their transfers early on, although there is still the possibility of loan moves until the end of August.

Prior to the transfer window closing, Reading wrapped up the signings of striker Sam Baldock from Brighton and goalkeeper Sam Walker from Colchester last week. Both players were eligible to play as the Royals kicked off their season with a disappointing 1-2 home defeat against Derby County last Friday. Walker was on the bench with Mannone continuing in goal while Baldock got to player the last 20 minutes or so after coming off the bench to replace Swift. Meanwhile summer signings Yiadom and Meyler also made their competitive debuts for the Royals after signing last month.

Liam Moore was missing ahead of his expected move but could now return to the starting eleven as the Royals travel to Nottingham Forest for their second game of the new season this weekend. For Forest it will already be their third league game after two 1-1 draws against Bristol City and West Brom. With four points already dropped they will be hoping to pick up three points against a Reading side widely tipped for relegation.